Rónán Mullen (Independent)

The Minister said the primary purpose of the 1958 legislation was not animal welfare. Is the Minister therefore claiming the existing regime would not be sufficient to guarantee the welfare of animals? If the proposed regime is necessary to amend what is already in place, I can see the case for requiring some level of a charge. I, however, sympathise with those who feel they will be subject to double charges. Will the Minister clarify whether the charge made by the Irish Greyhound Board is not necessarily for animal welfare services per se?